Work feeding device



April 16, '1946. T. EQMEAD 2,398,659

WORK FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. s, 194s s sheets-sheet` 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 T. EMEAD wom: FEEDING DEVICE Flfed Dec. 6, 1943 Ama@ m6.

April 1s, 1946.

3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 6, 1945 Patented Apr. 16, 1946 [Y UNITED STATES @PATENT OFFICE f 2,398,659 WORK FEEnnvG DEVICE Theodore E. MeeaQwilmette, 111.

Application December s, 1943, serial No. 513,196

15 Claims. (C

This invention relates -to a work feeding device, and more particularly to a device for automatically feeding work to a position where it is securely held and then discharging each piece of workbefore the next; piece is' advanced.A

An object of th invention is to provide a `device which will hold individual pieces of work in position for, tapping, drilling, or other mechanical processing and which will dischargepieces therefrom so as to permit a great number of pieces to be processed in ashort time. Another object is tolprovde such a' devicewhich will hold the pieces securely and positively and which will be infallible in selectingbut a, single piece for presentation to the work-holding position.

Another object is t0 providea device for feeding into work-holding position pieces which are of irregular thickness such manner that the pieces are rmly held and always in correct position for working. f i

` Another object is toprovide a devicehaving improved mechanism for receiving individual pieces from a magazine, and4 having improved means for advancing the pieces into work-holding position.` A more specific object is to provide such improved mechanism and means which will permit pieces having sharp `edges to be held in the device but which willnot serve 'to harm or break off these sharp-edges. i

Another important `object of the invention is toprovide means for assuring the discharge of the work pieces from the work-holding position when the holding mechanism is released and before the device has operated to select and present the succeeding piece. i

Other objects' and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds. lffl VThe invention i'sillustrated ing drawings, in whichi Fig.1 is a perspective view. of one embodiment of the device; Fig. 2 is a broken sectional View in elevation,A the vsection being taken as seen from line 2-2 of Fig.` 1; Fig. 3 is a broken sectional view in elevation, the section being taken as seen fromline 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. kl is a fragmentaryview similar to Fig. 3, but showing a somewhat modified structure; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the saine line as Fig. 4, butshowing' the reciprocating structure in advanced condition -with a work piecein workholding positiony-Fig. 6 is a'fragmentary sectional view similar to Figs. Sufand '4, but showbythe accompanying a modified structure; Figl is 'a viewlike Fig.

l. 1li-162) ing position; Fig. Sis a plan view of another modified structure; Fig.` 9 isa view like Fig. 8, but showing the reciprocatingstructure inadvanced position; Fig. 10 is a plan view of still another modification which utilizes pieces have ing structure in advanced position; Fig-16 `is a detail plan view of the modicationl shown in Figs. 14 and 15; Fig.-l7 isa planlviewof still another modied structurei Fig. 18 is al view like Fig. w17 except that it shows' the reciprocating structurein'advanced position; Fig. 19` is a' detail sectional View taken as indicated at line I9I9 of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 is an enlarged plan view ofthe pivoted member and associated structure shown. in Fig. 18; and Fig. 21is alview'like Fig."20

except thatit shows the pivotedmember in piece- Y ,receiving position as illustrated in Fig. 17. .1

1 As illustrated in Figs. 1 `to 3, the improved 'de'- vice includes` a base or frame structure A, reciprocating structure B which providesv with the `frame structure a pair of jaws, a` magazine C which presents the piecesfor feeding, mechanism D'for actuating the reciprocating structure, and apparatus E for dislodging` the pieces after the holding operation is over.

The `frame structure A may be of anysuitable form'rand construction.d As showniin Fig. 1, this frame includes `a base; plate I0 havingfthe edge ilanges Illaby which it .my be `secured `to afloor or support. The mainframe body, I I rhas acen` tral channel I2 running lengthwise of this body.

Near the top of this channelis a cut-out portion I3 to accommodate the dovetail fitting of the slide 30, later to be described. Mounted on the side'of channel I2 isan `inclined piece I4 on which the pieces may slide from the device after theoper- `ations on them are completed.`

Mounted on the frame body Il and at the far end of the frame is a jaw member l5 having a V- shapeds'erated facie.v The face ofvthis jaw may, of course, `take other special forms when sok desired.' This jaw memberprovides one' ofthe jaws whichiserve to hold theindividual pieces in workholding position. i f

The reciprocating structure B includes the slide which has its edges inclined to provide with the cut-out portion I3 of the frame a dovetail fitting. The top of slide provides a seat or support 3| on which the individual pieces may rest as the device operates to present them to work-holding position, and the top of this slide may be even with the top of the frame body I I. suitably, the central portion of the forward end of slide 3B may be cut away as indicated at 32, so as to prevent interference withlthe processing operations, such as the drilling of the central portions of the pieces.

` Fig. 3.)

Mounted on top of the slide so is the bar '35" which at its forward end provides a jaw adapted to engage the rearward edge of the pieces as they come from the magazine.

The magazine may be of any desired structure i suitable for holding the pieces to be worked for successive delivery. The magazine C, which is bestillustrated lin Fig. 1 of the drawings, includesa tube-like container 3B slightly inclined with the frame structure and having its bottom edge parallel with the plane of the top surface of the frame. The bottom opening, through which the `piecesare discharged from the magazine, is immediately over the seat 3Iof the slide 30 when the reciprocating structure is in retracted posi-V tion. The magazine is suppQrted by Ymeans 'of -thebracket 31 which may be attached to the frame. A, or to other-structure xed with respect to,l this frame. The magazine `may contain a numbenof flat pieces, such asmetal washers, for example, in vertically-stacked relation, so that as soon` as., one is removed from the delivery end another fallsjinto place ready for removal on the succeedingstroke, 1 g Y `The rea-r portion 'of the slide 30 may be attached to.;=`the piston Steef the air` cylinderq38 which ksource of'ai'r pressure. The valve 43 has a button 44 which when depressed operates to open the valve and perrnit` the passage 'of air therethrough.

formsazpart of the :actuating mechanism D. A

Cooperating with valve 43 is adetent 45pivotally 4mounted yon'the under sideofVr the slide 30. ,De-

tent 45 is. arranged to move. valoout'its pivot to pass overbutto'n 44 without vdepressingit when -the'slide is advanced, Ybut tomomentarily depress this button as it contacts this button onthe rearward movement of the slider. Y

vA secondary structure which aids in the positioning and'dislodgement of the piece is the Vspring 46 `whichin this embodiment is mounted 'on the bracket''l. and projects downwardly sothat its sharpened point 48 rests on the rearwardportion lof the piece when thepiece'co'mes to work-'holding position. f e

)In-'many' instances, it is important that .the jaws whichfe'ngage the piece in the holding functionbethicker than thepiece beingheld so that a firmih'old may.b'eattjained.v This'ismadepossible while still' permitting *the selection :of but a single piece for advancement into work'f-process'- the height bar 50 positioned on the top of the .ing position bythe provision `of 'structurefsuc'h as frame A and directly under the mouth of the magazine. This bar is cut away at its central portion, as indicated at 5I, for the purposes of permitting the bar 35 secured to slide 33 to pass therethrough, but as clearly seen at Fig. 2 of the drawings, this bar is eective to support the lowerxnost piece in the magazine above the supporting surface 3l of slide 30 and at a position such that the top surface of thislo-wer piece is even with or abovethe top surface of the bar 35. (See Forward of the magazine, the height bar 5 is terminated, and near its forward edge lits top surface may be tapered as indicated at 52.

VIn the operation of this embodiment, the magazine is filled with pieces and the device started in vthe position indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings., rIhei'owernwst piece 53 will rest on the heightbar 50. Then the operator may operate any suitable valve (not shown) to admit air under pressure to the cylinder38. This serves to advance the piston 38a and therefore to advance the slide 30, causing the jaw provided by` bar 35 to engage the rear edge of the piece 53. As the slide moves forward, the' bar 35 passes through the opening in the height bar 50 and urges the piece 53 forwardly. `When the piece passes beyond the end of height bar 50, it falls down onto the seat or support 3| on the slide 30. Continuing v`the forward movement, the piece is moved toward and brought into Contact with the jaw I5. Withcontinued pressure 4delivered by the cylinder 38, the pieceA is held in rm position between the two jaws and restingr on the support 3|. At this stage, any desiredfoperations or processing steps may be performed on the piece.

When .itis desired to release this piece and present another, the operator operates the valve to release lthe air pressure on cylinder 38, and the spring 39 operates to retract-the piston, withdrawing the reciprocating mechanism in its rearward stroke.- Y During the time the piece is assuming its workho'ldingposition, the spring finger 46 serves to prevent the rearward :edge from kicking up and when the reciprocating structure is being withdrawn, this spring finger-serves to prevent movement of the Ypiecefollowing the slide.

However, a principal factorin dislodging the piece from the reciprocating structure upon rearward movement of this'structure is theA apparatus E which, when Ythe detent 45 engagesthe button *44,serves'to deliver through nozzle 40 an air blastdirectly-,against the piece causing it to be ydislodged from the reciprocatingstructure and fall down the chute provided'byfthe lchannel I2 and the inclined piece f4.1- Y. l

When the air cylinder is again operated to advance the slide 30, another piece is selected from the mouth of the magazine fandis handled in the same manner. v

In addition to beingthicker than the individual pieces,.thebari 35-mayhave itsV jaw face inclinedwith the vertical `so that'the'upper edge protrudes and extends over 'thepiece .when held in processing position; .Thislfeaturewill be made more vclear iniconnectionwith'the modified structure which willnext be described.

As illustrated in'Figs. 4 and 5,the;jaw-mem ber 6I] may vhave'an inclined face BI; and the jaw member 62 kmay have the vincl-ined faceY 63, the -face's 6I Yand `63 being inclinedfinwardlytoward their tops, As in the; Vembodiment fpreviously desoribed,"-the l:law 'member 52 is mounted on va slideV 33e, Fand a height-bar 50er-serves -to maintain the top of the lowermost piece in the magal Fig. 5, the surfaces referidos@l zine at a point above the top of the jaw member When the jaw 62 `is brought up to confine the piece 53a`in processingposition as indicated in 6i and G3 engage the top of the piece and in this way tend to'prevent its edges kicking up and tend to prevent its getting in any other position except flatagainst thesupporting seat 31a of the slide 30a.

Shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is a bracket B5 which is mounted on the top of the jaw member 60. Thisbracket extends rearwardly over the workholding position of the piece and is provided with a drill bushing 66 through which a drill or other tool may be inserted to process the piece.

In the operation of the embodiments shown in Figs.` l to 5, it will be apparent that when the moving `jaw engages the lowermost piece presented by the magazine, the top of the jaw will i engage the piece at a point below its top sur` face, so that there is no danger of advancing more than one of the pieces even though the jaw member is' thicker thanfthev piece.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. Sand 7, the pieces 1] are of irregular thickness, having a relatively thick hub portion and a relatively thin rim portion. Here the' jaw S0 has a lateral groove or recess Gib which is V-shaped in cross section.' The jaw 62b has a substantially similar lateralV groove or recess E3b,`and when theslide 33h is advanced the groove 631 receives the thin rim of the piece 'lil and advances it from a position adjacent magazine Cb into processing position as seen in Fig. 7`where the jaw 69h also receives the forwardrim of the piece 1G. This form of engagement serves to hold the piece in the f proper position and prevents it from tilting or otherwise losing this proper position. l

Figs. 8 and 9 show an embodiment which includes a magazine C which has its lower portion curved s o that the pieces, such as the nuts 1D',

are deliveredlfrorn the magazine laterally onto the reciprocating slide 30. The magazine C' `is secured to one side of the frame A and on the other side of this f rame isa stop piece 16 which is provided atrits face with a spring 11 which `serves to cushion the blow of the nut pieces `10 as they pass laterally out .of theV mouth of the magazine in the operation `of the device; also this spring member serves to position `the last ofthe pieces to be issued from the magazine so that when the slide 30 is advanced, the jaw, 62 will engage thepiece squarely and so can move it. forward without any, extraneous movements of the piece. As the slide 313` advances, the piece is moved under the spring finger i'which functions inmuch the same way aswthe ,spring 46 mentioned in connection with the iirst embodiment described. When the slide has reached the limit of its travel, the piece will be confined between the jaws 62' and 60'. Upon therearward movement of theslide, thepiece will be dislodged and discharged as previously described.

lfigs. 10 to 13 illustrate an embodiment which is well adapted to the handling of pieces having sharp edges that are subject to injury if handled in ordinary vice-like structures. Here the pieces 102 having the Vi-,groove 2l are disposed in the magazine C2. A wedge-shaped element 22 of the magazine engages the 'groove 2| and so maintains the pieces in alignment as they pass through the magazine. From the magazine, the pieces are discharged laterally onto the seat SI2 of the slide 302. This slide has jaw structure `which extends along the rearward end 23'of `the seatand alsoV along la side edge 24 oftheseat. The jaw'along the side edge of the seatis made slightly longer than the piece, so thatwhen the `slide is extended.

(see Figs. 11 and 12), the sharp edge of the piece is not pressed hard against thejaw 602. While in this position, the piece is resting on the seat SI2 and is enclosed ontwo sides-by the jawst'ruc' ture of the 'slidefmember anden twosides by the jaw structure which is secured to the frame.` Thus, the Vpiece is secured against turning or otherwise getting out of position while at the same time the delicate edge is not caused to be Y injured.` In this embodiment valso there is a spring finger 462 which serves to guide and hold the piece, and a tube di]2 is provided through which compressed airmay be discharged to dislodge the piece at the appropriate time.

Figs.-14, 15'and 16 illustrate an embodiment which is particularly effective in connection with elongated pieces 103 which are stacked end to end in themagazine C3.' The lower portion of magazine C3 is vertical and discharges the pieces onto the seat 3l3 of slide member 303. On each side of the frame A3 are the spring fingers 25`mounted by'means of the brackets 246." As seen more `clearly in Fig.` 16, these fingers extend about' and hold the piece whichlhas justissued from the mouth" of themagazine, preventing it frornfallingV over.

VWhen the slide is extended, tliejawiE3 moves the piece'hl3 out of the grasp ofngers 25p'assf-` ing it on to its position 'against the jaw 60% The finger M33 aids in dislodgment of thepie'ce from the reciprocating slide when the slide is retracted. In this, as well as all other of the embgdiments shown, the apparatus for utilizing an air blast for dislodging the piece can befemployed.`

sun another ein odiment for the invenunn-l is illustrated inFigs. 17 to 21. Here the magazine C4 is mounted on the `frame A4 lso `(that the pieces 184, which may be small cylinders or'the` like, are passed laterally from the magazine into` the reciprocating structure.' A spring finger 21 serves to keep the pieces` in line.' On the reciprocating slide 364, jawfmember 624 is pivotally mounted; Themouth 28 of this jaw member is recessed so that it may receive thereinv the piece whichv issues laterally from the magazine.

The jaw member `624 has an arm 29. to which the piston Si of cylinderl 8U is pivotallyl attachedy.

The cylinder itself ispivotally mounted in the frame A spring 82 serves to resist` rearward movement of the piston near theA end of its return stroke, and afspringf83 which is stronger than spring 82resists forwardmovement of the piston near the end of its advance stroke. a e

`As illustrated in`the`drawing`s, thepieces 104 may have the top flanges 1 I, and when these pieces are received in the jaw member B24, the flanges 1l may rest on topv of member B24 without `injury or interference 4and the'reneedv be no `contact of the piece -withythe slide 304. A jawmember 664 is provided which is complementary to the jaw structure provided by the member 624. The operation of` this device is as follows:

With the pivoted jaw member 62*` in the position illustrated in Figs. 17 and 21, a piece from the magazine C4 passes directly into the mouth 2S of the jaw member where it is supported-through the engagement of the -flange 1I` with the top of this member. As theslide 304 is first advanced, the pivoted jaw member 624 retains its same angular position"-and moves along with the slide to remove the ,'pieceirom its position adjacent the mouth of the magazine.- -Afterthis jaw has passed the mouth of the magazine, the bar 72 mounted on the slide ,304 operates to-prevent further pieces from issuing out of :the magazine. During this initial movement, the spring 82, being relatively weak, yields. However, when the slide advances further, the spring 8.3, which'is stronger, tends to be compressed and this serves to rotate the jaw member 624 about .itspivot .and bring it into the angular position shown in Fig. 20. This member does not continue to move about its pivot because of the stud 13 which limits the pivotal movement, and upon further movement of the slide this jaw member vmoves straight forward, presenting the piece directly into the mouth of the complementary jaw member B04. The piece is thus held between these jaws until the slide is actuated for retraction. During the initial portion of the rearward movement of the slide, the jaw member 624 retreats vwithout turning, being restrained by the spring 83 and the stud 13, and the apparatus E4 `for delivering an air blast can come into operation to dislodge the piece. VUpon continued rearward movement of the slide, the piston 8| will come to be actuated by the spring 82 and thus turned into the angular position rst described and illustrated in Fig. 21. In this position, it can receive another ,piece from the magazine and the operation may be repeated.

The foregoing detailed description has .been given for purposes of explanation only and no limitation is intended tobe understood therefrom. It will be apparent that many modications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: Y

1. A work feeding-device comprising a mag-azine adapted to contain a plurality of work pieces, reciprocating mechanism for `presenting individual pieces from said magazine to processing position, said mechanism including a slide upon whichvsaid pieces rest when in processing position, and means actuated by `the return -movement of said reciprocating ,mechanism for discharging compressed air against said piece .to aid in dislodging the sam.e.-from.said slide.

2. VA work feeding Ydevice comprising a frame, a magazine mounted on lsaid frame, 1a work-holding jaw secured to said iframe, aslide mounted for reciprocatingA movement` in said frame beneath the .discharge end of said magazine, .said slide being eiiectiveiwhen .it is advanced forimoving .a piece `from said magazineforwardly and against said jaw, and spring vmeansv engaging said piece when in position .against said jaw .foraiding in dislodging said piece .fromfsaid slide when the slide is retracted.

. 3. A work feeding device .comprising .a magazine adapted to contain .a plurality of :work pieces, a pair of opposing jaws, a-reciprocating structure carrying .one .otsaidjaws thereon and providing a bottom `support; for successive pieces as they are moved into .work-,holdingvposition between said jaws, said .one Vjawbeing effective as said structure is Amoved .forward-ly to push one of said pieces fromsaid magazine .tightly against the other of said jawsin .which-position v-itjis disposed on said support andrheld..betv.f.een said jaws, and means `for restraining 1.said piece .from rearward movement with said-structure when saidstructure is retracted.

4. A work feeding device ascalled -for in claim 3 wherein said means includes-meansfor delivering `a blast-ofair against said piece, and valve means actuatedby the .returnxmovement ofsaid structure for `.operating said -airrblast -:delivering meansto thereby restrainv said piece from rearward movement with said structure.

5. A work feeding device comprising a magazine adapted to. contain a plurality of work pieces of disk-like character Vin vertically-stacked relation, a pair of opposing jaws, a reciprocating structure carrying one of said jaws and providing a bottom support for pieces as they are moved into work-holding position between said jaws, said one jaw being of greater thickness than said pieces Vand having an inclined face so that its upper edge protrudes forwardly beyond its lower edge, said one jaw being adapted when said structureis Aadvanced to urge one of said pieces forwardly from said magazine and against the other of said jaws in which position it is disposed on said support and held between said jaws, and means for maintaining the lowermost of said pieces in said magazine above said support so that its top edge is above the top edgeof said one jaw until moved from said magazine through the operation of said structure.

6. A work feeding device comprising a magazine adapted to contain a plurality of work pieces in vertically-stacked relation, a reciprocating structure providing a support on which a piece may rest when in position for processing, a jaw carried on said structure, a jaw cooperating with said jaw opposite said jaw and disposed in xed position with .respect to said magazine, said jaws being Vof greater thickness than said pieces and having their faces protruding toward each other at their upper edges, said nist-mentioned jaw being effective when Asaid structure is advanced to move a piece from said magazine and into processing position between said jaws, and a height bar maintaining .said pieces above `said support to the extentthat only one of thepieces in said magazine is contacted by said first-mentioned jaw as saidv .structure is advanced to cause the jaw to move a piece therefrom.

7. A work feeding device comprising a magazine adapted to contain a plurality of work pieces in vertically-stacked relation, a reciprocating structure providing a support on which a piece may rest when in position for processing, a jaw carried on said structure having a thickness greater than the thickness of said pieces, a xed jaw opposite said'jaw and cooperating with said jaw, ,said nist-mentioned jaw being effective when said structure is advanced to move a piece from said magazine and into processing position in which it rests on said support between said jaws, and means for maintaining the lowermost piece in said magazine above said support and at a height such that its'top surface is above the top surface of said nist-mentioned jaw whereby when said structure is advanced said first-mentioned jaw comes into contact with the edge of only said lowermost piece.

' 8. A-.work feeding deviceas called for in claim 7 which includes a drill bushing extendingover said fixed jaw and containing an opening therein through which a tool may be extended .to contactA a piece heldin said processing position,

9..A work feeding .device comprising a magazinefadapted to contain' elongated pieces stacked end to end, vreciprocating structure disposed adjacent the .discharge end of said magazine and adapted to ,receivef successive Vpieces thereon, spring means over vsaid structure for engaging the sides of said pieces and for holding said pieces in upright position as they are delivered from said magazine onto said structure, and a jaw carried onsaid structure, .saidjaw Lbeing .eective when said structure is advanced to move one of said pieces forwardly out of engagement with said spring means.

10. A work feeding device comprising a magazine adapted to contain elongated pieces stacked end to end, reciprocating structure disposed adjacent the discharge end of said magazine and adapted to receive successive pieces thereon, a pair of spring fingers over said structure for engaging the sides of said pieces and for holding said pieces in upright position as they are delivered from said magazine onto said structure, a jaw carried on said structure, a second jaw opposing and cooperating with said jaw to hold one of said pieces in work-holding position, said first-mentioned jaw being eiective when said structure is advanced to move one of said pieces forwardly out of engagement with said spring means and into work-holding position between said jaws, and means for actuating said reciproeating structure to advance thev same to bring a piece into work-holding position and to retract the same to release said piece from such position.

11. A work feeding device comprising a magazine adapted to contain a plurality of work pieces,

reciprocating structure adjacent the delivery end n of said magazine, a jaw disposed in xed position, a jaw member pivotally mounted on said reciprocating structure and adapted to receive a piece as it issues from said magazine, and means for turny ing said jaw member as said reciprocating structure is advanced so that said jaws face each other with one of'said piecesl therebetween, said jaws being mounted and arranged to tighten about said piece as said reciprocating structurels advanced to the limit of its movement.

12. A work feeding device comprising a frame, a magazine adapted to contain a plurality of work pieces, reciprocating structure mounted in said frame adjacent the delivery end of said magazine, said magazine being arranged to deliver pieces laterally onto said structure, a jaw attached to said frame, a jaw member pivotally mounted on said reciprocating structure and adapted to receive a piece moving laterally from said magazine, and means for turning said jaw membe and the piece therein received to present said piece for engagement with said rst-mentioned jaw when said structure has advanced the limit of its forward movement.

13. A work feeding device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means is operable to turn said jaw member only after said reciprocating structure has advanced to remove said piece from the delivery end of said magazine.

14. A work feeding device comprising a magazine adapted'to contain work pieces in stacked relation, a reciprocating structure providing a support for the pieces when they are in processing position in said device, a pair of opposing jaws one of which is carried on said structure and the other of which is xedly disposed with respect to said magazine, said one jaw being adapted when said structure is advanced to move a piece from said magazine into processing position where it rests on said support and is held between said jaws, said one jaw having an inclined face which extends forwardly toward the upper edge of the jaw, the upper edge of said one jaw being above the top of said piece at the point of engagement with said piece whereby said edge of the piece is restrained against movement upwardly of said one jaw when the piece is held between saidjaws.

15. A work feeding device comprising a magazine adapted to contain` a plurality of work pieces, reciprocating mechanism for presenting individual pieces from said magazine to processing position, said mechanism including a slide upon which said pieces rest when in processing position, and means actuated by the return movement of said reciprocating mechanism for aiding in dislodging a piece from said slide. Y

THEODORE E. MEAD. 

